Purse Manifesto
If you know me in real life you know that The Purse Issue is a big deal for me. I talk about it so much it’s become a joke. I even talked about it in my first blog post ever about why I started the show (sigh!) over at queertoday.
So I was amused when I saw this:
Stuff Lesbians Like: Going Out of One’s Way Not to Carry A Purse
I don’t really think the post is offensive, even though I wished they name-checked femmes in addition to, or instead of, lipstick lesbians. The whole stuff _____Â like thing is just a way for people to make fun of themselves, so I’m not going to get my femme panties in a twist.
They are poking fun of how some people work REALLY hard not to carry a purse and can be sensitive about how their bags are NOT purses.
There is something about purses that sets people off. I’m not really sure what it is, but people around here seem to think it’s the last vestige of heterosexuality. 5 inch heels? Long hair? Pink from head to toe? Fine, you’re a femme, or a lipstick lesbian. Carrying a purse? You’re straight.  Vagaries of queer fashion being what they are, I imagine that such lines are drawn differently elsewhere in the world, but that’s what I see here in Boston.
It’s not a big deal, except that it is, that it is, in fact, misogyny, and a deep fear of feminine things.
So, femmes, feminine queers, and tight-pants-wearers of the world, I have a challenge for you: Next time you go to your local queer hangout, think about what you’re bringing with you. If it doesn’t all fit in your pockets, and you want to carry a purse, do it! The revolution is coming, and it’s carrying a handbag. Only if we push back against these random rules about what lesbians do and don’t do can we ever see change!
June 2nd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
LOL! Hi there. Each of the writers on GracetheSpot has a different perspective. I, for one, do carry a purse (unless it is a workday, when I carry my yuppie laptop sack). When I go out, there is no way I can fit all my stuff into my (tight) jeans pockets! I also can’t play sports to save my life.
Anyway, the Stuff Lesbians Like series generally tries to point out various absurd things we witness in lesbian culture, you know, stuff we notice and giggle at amongst ourselves. (And sometimes we’re just making fun of our friends. There’s an upcoming post called “The Gay Guy who thinks he’s a lesbian” for example.) And yes, I make fun of myself, a lot. As with any diverse demographic, it’s hard to paint accurately with a broad brush, but we hope we’re silly enough not to be taken too seriously.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
“Carrying a purse? You’re straight. ”
OMG seriously?!?!? damn well my femme ass wouldn’t survive too long in Boston because let me tell you i’ve got a closet full of purses, everything from several i’ve made myself to straw purses, mini purses etc. etc. etc. dresses and skirts just don’t have pockets and there are quite simply things that i need to have on me at all times- pen, paper, makeup, phone, keys, wallet, business cards, etc. etc. etc. and besides purses are just one more fantastic accessory!
i remember that when i first came out as femme “the purse” was a big hurdle for me to get over, but omg now i LOVE them, and pretty much all my femme friends here in new york at least couldn’t even think of leaving the house without a purse!